Antarctica etymology

Etymology:

Antarctic derives from Ancient Greek:

  • anti (ἀντί) = "opposite"
  • arktikos (ἀρκτικός) = "northern" (derived from arktos (ἄρκτος), meaning "bear")

Meaning:

"Opposite the north"

Origin:

The term "Antarctic" was coined by the ancient Greek philosopher and geographer Marinus of Tyre in the 1st century AD. Marinus used the term to refer to the landmass that he believed existed opposite the known northern landmass (Arctic).

Historical Usage:

Throughout history, the term "Antarctic" has been used to refer to:

  • The South Pole
  • The Antarctic Circle (the latitude of 66° 33' 45.9" S)
  • The Antarctic continent (Antarctica)
  • The Southern Hemisphere

Official Designation:

In 1955, the Seventh Meeting of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) officially adopted "Antarctica" as the name of the continent and its surrounding waters. This name is now recognized internationally as the standard term for the region.

Antarctica relate terms

  • antarctic

    Etymology The word antarctic originates from the Greek word anti arktikos which mea

  • anti

    Etymology The word anti has its origins in the Greek prefix ἀντί anti meanin

  • arctic

    Etymology Arctic is derived from the Greek word arktikos which means near the bear

  • antipodes

    Etymology The word antipodes is derived from Greek anti άντί opposite or

  • anti

    Etymology The word anti has its origins in the Greek prefix ἀντί anti meanin

  • antoecian

    Etymology The word anthocyanin comes from the Greek words anthos άνθος me

  • Graham

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  • continent

    Etymology The word continent comes from the Latin word continens which means holdin

  • mess

    Etymology The word mess comes from the Middle English word messe which in turn come

  • Arab

  • change

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It traces words

  • holy

    Etymology The word holy originates from the Old English word hālġ which means sac

  • society

    Etymology The word society comes from the Latin word societas which means associat

  • penance

    Etymology From Old French penance from Latin paenitentia from poenitere to repent r

  • porcelain

    Etymology Old French porcelaine Italian porcellana Latin porcellus piglet Meanin